Note: The National Relay Service (NRS) allows people with hearing or speech difficulties to make and receive telephone calls using a third person who will relay the phone call between both parties.

106 TTY emergency service

The 106 service is the world's first national text-based emergency service. It provides access for TTY users to fire, police and ambulance and is available 24 hours a day, every day. If you rely on a TTY to make calls, you can dial 106 in an emergency. 106 calls have priority over other other NRS calls.

Simply dial 106. This is a free number which connects you to the relay officer.

You will be asked if you want police (type PPP), fire (type FFF) or ambulance (type AAA). Note: Speak and Read (or voice carry over) users just need to say "police", "fire" or "ambulance" to the relay officer.

The relay officer will dial the correct service and stay on line to relay your conversation with the emergency service.

Because a TTY is connected to a fixed line, the emergency service can locate where you care calling from - you will be asked to confirm your address.

The 106 service can only be dialled from a TTY. It cannot be reached by:

an ordinary phone

text message (SMS) on a mobile phone, or

internet relay (see below).

Speak and Listen emergency calls

There is a separate emergency call procedure for Speak and Listen callers who use an ordinary phone or mobile rather than a TTY.

Dial 1800 555 727 and then ask for Triple Zero (000).

These are toll-free numbers. Note that calls to this number are given priority over other NRS calls.

You will be asked if you want police, fire or ambulance.

The relay officer will dial the correct service and stay on the line to help you, if necessary, communicate with the emergency service.

If you make the call from a landline, the emergency service can trace your location (which may be important, for example, if you pass out before confirming your address). If you ring from a mobile and can't provide your location, the emergency service may not be able to find you.Note: You can of course ring Triple Zero (000) directly if you feel confident that you can be understood by emergency services.

Emergency calls via internet relay

If you are using internet relay, you can ask the relay officer to connect you to Triple Zero (000) - the voice emergency service.Note that an internet relay call (unlike a call to 1800 555 727 or to 106):

cannot be identified as an emergency call and can't be given any priority until you have been connected to a relay officer

cannot provide your location so if you can't identify where you are (for example, if you pass out while making the call) the emergency service may not be able to find you.

Tips for emergency calls

Always ask for the service you need - police, fire or ambulance.

Don't hang up. Wait for a reply from the emergency service.

Be ready to explain the emergency.

You will need to state or confirm your location. This will help route the call to the closest emergency services operator as quickly as possible.

The relay officer will stay on the line to relay your conversation. The emergency service will ask you questions and decide on the best way to help you.